Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

The Description of the Skanda Purāṇa’s Anukramaṇī

Index/Summary

Devanagari script

द्वीपाख्यानं ततः पुण्यमूर्द्धलोकव्यवस्थितिः । ब्रह्मांडस्थितिमानं च वर्करेशकथानकम् ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

dvīpākhyānaṃ tataḥ puṇyamūrddhalokavyavasthitiḥ | brahmāṃḍasthitimānaṃ ca varkareśakathānakam || 14 ||

Translation

Viennent ensuite le récit sacré des continents (dvīpa), l’ordonnancement des mondes supérieurs, la mesure et la structure du Brahmāṇḍa (l’univers), ainsi que la narration concernant Varkareśa.

Word by Word

• द्वीप-आख्यानम्: the account of the continents/islands
• द्वीप-आख्यानम्: Karma (कर्म)/Vishaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वीप (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (account of the continents/islands)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक (then)

• पुण्य-मूर्ध-लोक-व्यवस्थितिः: the arrangement of the holy upper worlds
• पुण्य-मूर्ध-लोक-व्यवस्थितिः: Karta (कर्ता)/Vishaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + मूर्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + व्यवस्थितिः (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (arrangement/स्थिति of the holy upper worlds)

• ब्रह्माण्ड-स्थिति-मानम्: the measure/extent of the Brahmāṇḍa’s structure
• ब्रह्माण्ड-स्थिति-मानम्: Karma (कर्म)/Vishaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्माण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थिति (प्रातिपदिक) + मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (measure/extent of the cosmic-egg’s स्थिति)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• वर्कर-ईश-कथानकम्: the story of Varkareśa
• वर्कर-ईश-कथानकम्: Karma (कर्म)/Vishaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्कर (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक) + कथानक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (story of Varkareśa)

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the contents/topics of Narada Purana; dialogue context traditionally traces teachings through Narada and the Sanatkumara brothers.

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Varkareśa

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It frames cosmology as sacred knowledge: understanding dvīpas, higher worlds, and the brahmāṇḍa’s structure is presented as puṇya, preparing the reader to see the universe as an ordered, dharmic manifestation rather than randomness.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Indirectly: by cataloging the universe’s divine order and sacred narratives (like Varkareśa), it supports bhakti by giving a meaningful cosmic context in which tīrthas, deities, and holy stories become objects of remembrance (smaraṇa) and reverence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Not a direct Vedāṅga instruction; it aligns most with Purāṇic jyotiṣa-style cosmography (world-systems, lokas, measurements) that often supports calendrical/ritual worldview, though no specific ritual or grammar rule is stated in this verse.